Native American/Indigenous Career Resources

In recognition of and appreciation for Native American/Indigenous identifying students, career resources are highlighted such as internships that focus on career and personal development and success.

You can explore more career resources for Native American/Indigenous students through the affinity/identity group page by clicking on “Who we serve” and then “Affinities” on the CareerHub home page. Follow the affinity group.

Considerations for Application & Hiring Process

Connect to Native and Indigenous alumni and professionals

Alumni and professionals who hold Native/Indigenous identities can provide insight into their experience and what advice they have for going through the job search process and even be a mentor for you. Informational interviews are the best ways to network with alumni and professionals whose identity and career background you wish to learn more about. You can connect with alumni through the Duke Alumni Network or utilizing the Duke University page on LinkedIn.

Highlight your background

As a Native/Indigenous-identifying student, you bring value to industry. Your background, particularly the experiences, skills, and perspective you bring, are a tremendous benefit to the workforce. There are multiple ways in which you can show how your identity and point of view are valuable to an employer.

Resume–through your academic and professional experiences

Cover letter–by explaining how your identity or multicultural involvement can be an asset to the role or industry that you are interested in

During the interview process, you can make connections to your identity through relevant examples to the role you are applying for. The interview process can also be used as an opportunity to understand the employer’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to explain your desire to work for a company that values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Consider the employer’s values and commitment toward diversity, equity, and inclusion

To find out about a company’s commitment to DEI, you can conduct informational interviews with individuals at the company or ask them about their commitment during a job interview.

If you would like to talk more about your identity and multiculturalism in career development, you can make an appointment with a career advisor via Handshake. Learn more about advising.

Internships

Inroads Internship Program prepares talented diverse students across the country for corporate readiness with business soft skills, real world leadership development activities, academic and career support, and an opportunity for a paid internship

Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement – Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP) provides opportunities for enhanced public health leadership training in maternal and child health, focusing on social determinants of health, elimination of health disparities, and developmental disabilities.

University of Virginia Summer Research Internship Program offers a ten-week research internship to qualified undergraduates considering a career in biomedical research. 

Congressional Budget Office Summer Internship Program involves a paid 10-week program where interns contribute to analysis in the office’s divisions and participate an educational program that includes briefings and networking opportunities with budget and policy professionals.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Intern assist full time Majority staff with legislative research projects, hearings, and administrative tasks, while gaining firsthand knowledge on the unique policy issues impacting American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

Career Communities

If you are interested in discipline/industry-focused opportunities, you can discover these opportunities by following and exploring career communities on CareerHub.

For additional resources on job and internship boards and professional organizations and associations, see the Native American/Indigenous students affinity/identity group page.

By Lauren Coury
Lauren Coury Career Advisor, Data, Technology, and Engineering